AsemconnectVietnam - According to the preliminary statistics from the Customs Department, Vietnam's exports to the Malaysian market in the first six months of 2026 reached over US$3.43 billion, an increase of 34.69% compared to the same period in 2025.

In June of 2026 alone, the country’s export turnover to Malaysia reached over US$731.3 million, an increase of 29.41% compared to the previous month and a significant increase of 83.15% compared to the same month last year. This outstanding growth was driven by the breakthrough of many key industrial sectors, although some traditional agricultural products and raw materials showed a downward trend.
The overall growth momentum was driven by the technology, machinery, and components sector. In particular, the group of computers, electronic products and components led in export value with over US$768.6 million in the first six months, achieving an impressive growth of 74.76% compared to the same period last year. This was mainly due to the global demand for digital transformation and the strong recovery of the high-tech supply chain in Malaysia, a major electronics manufacturing hub in the region. Following closely behind was the group of machinery, equipment, tools, and other spare parts, which also achieved very positive results with a six-month export value of US$335 million, an increase of 51.24%. The group of telephones and components maintained its strong performance with over US$264.4 million in the first six months, an increase of 30.58% compared to the same period last year.
Besides the technology group, processed industrial goods and raw materials also contributed significantly. The group of iron and steel products generated over US$250 million in the first half of the year, an increase of 22.83%. The chemical group, despite having a scale of only $117.8 million in the first six months, saw a 31.39% increase. Notably, electrical wires and cables had the highest growth rate among manufactured goods groups, increasing by 148.97% in the first six months, reaching $27.1 million. This increase showed that Vietnam's industrial and supporting industries are increasingly meeting the stringent standards of the Malaysian market, especially as Malaysia is boosting infrastructure investment. The exports of textiles reached $100 million, a 24.06% increase, and fruits and vegetables reached $67.9 million, increased by 56.69% increase; and these were also bright spots maintaining good growth.
Conversely, the export picture also witnessed a decline in some key agricultural products and raw materials. Most notably, rice, a product traditionally a strength of Vietnam, saw a 10.42% decline in the first six months of the year, reaching just over $102.1 million; coffee also recorded a sharp decrease of 23.75%, reaching $96.4 million. The reasons for this decline in agricultural products may stem from fluctuations in global agricultural prices, stricter technical barriers from Malaysia regarding food safety and Halal certification, or intense competition from rival suppliers in the region such as Thailand and India. In addition, some other heavy industrial product groups such as iron and steel products (down by 12.9%), petroleum products (down by 24.91%), and rubber products (down by 25.31%) also experienced declines.
Vietnam's exports to Malaysia are expected to continue their positive growth momentum and are likely to exceed the target set for the whole year. The computer, electronic components, and machinery and equipment sector will continue to be the main growth driver in the final months of the year, as the year-end shopping season typically encourages Malaysian businesses to increase imports of components for assembly and export.
Regarding agricultural products, despite difficulties in the first half of the year, rice and coffee exports are projected to recover slightly in the third and fourth quarters as demand increases during the year-end festive season in Malaysia, along with efforts to restructure production, improve quality standards, and obtain Halal certification by Vietnamese businesses. In addition, several items such as textiles, footwear, and plastic products are expected to continue stable growth thanks to the advantages from free trade agreements within the ASEAN region. Nevertheless, export businesses also need to be aware of challenges related to logistics costs, exchange rate fluctuations, and trade protectionist trends in order to develop flexible market access strategies and optimize export turnover in the second half of 2026.
CK
Source: VITIC